Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shot dead: Probe into murder of Abhishek Ghosalkar transferred to Mumbai Crime Branch

Screengrab of a video that was streamed live on Facebook

The investigation into the sensational murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar during a 'Facebook Live' to by a local 'social activist', who also killed himself, has been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch, an official said on Friday, reported news agency PTI.

Abhishek Ghosalkar (40), son of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, a loyalist of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, was also a former corporator.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shot dead: Crime Branch probe to focus on several aspects

A viral video of the incident, which took place at assailant Mauris Noronha's office in IC Colony in the northern suburb of Borivali (West) on Thursday evening, showed Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder.

The Crime Branch probe will focus on several aspects, including how Noronha got the weapon and who provided it to him, if he was under the influence of alcohol at the time and the questioning of people who were present at the spot when Ghosalkar was fired upon, he said, reported PTI.

A senior police official earlier told PTI that Ghosalkar was hit by four bullets. Noronha, who used an illegal pistol for the crime, then shot himself once, he added, reported PTI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shot dead: Personal enmity

Ghosalkar and Noronha had "personal enmity" but the Facebook live was arranged to clarify that they had come together, ending their bitterness for the betterment of the IC Colony area, another police official said, reported PTI.

The MHB Colony police registered a case after the murder, while Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satya Narayan and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Datta Nalawade visited the spot for the probe, reported PTI.

Late in the night, the case was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch for further investigation, a senior police official said. The decision was taken considering the seriousness of the matter and the scope of the probe, he said, reported PTI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shot dead: Crime Branch team visits crime scene

A team from the Crime Branch also visited the crime scene along with the local police, the official said. Later, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam and DCP (Crime) Raj Tilak Roshan also reached the spot in connection with the investigation.
The team has started the probe and is trying to gather evidence, he said, reported PTI.

The Crime Branch will try to ascertain from where Noronha procured the pistol and who provided it to him, the official said. Inquiry with the people, who were at the spot during the incident is being conducted, he said, reported PTI.

Police are also examining whether Noronha was under the influence of alcohol when pumped bullets into Ghosalkar, the official said, adding that his blood samples have been collected, reported PTI.

Hundreds of Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters gathered outside Karuna Hospital in north Mumbai, where Abhishek Ghosalkar was rushed to after he was fired upon, and its vicinity. Accordingly, heavy police deployment has been kept in the area to avoid any untoward incident, the official said.

In the early hours of Friday, Ghosalkar's body was shifted to a state-run hospital for post-mortem, he said.

The incident took place days after a BJP MLA was caught on camera firing at an Eknath Shinde faction leader inside a police station at Ulhasnagar.

Chief Minister Shinde said on Thursday that a probe was being launched into the latest firing incident.

(With inputs from PTI)